Edgefeild and Phyllis' 40th Birthday Party.

On June 29th, Phyllis, Eric and I threw a fabulous party out at Edgefield in Troutdale. It was planned to celebrate her 40th birthday and my departure. As you all know that departure has been delayed slightly. But since Phyllis only turns 40 once and everything was in place so we went ahead with the big party.

The week started with a few fun things in our office. On the 24th of June there was a team building event modeled after the classic game show, Family Feud. Several coworkers and I dressed up as Hawaiian quintuplets, the Chelcuhaha sisters. We took 2nd place in the tournament and won 1st place for our costumes. From right to left it was Ululani (Christina Choi), Roselani (Robin Elliott), Okelani (yours truely), Noelani (Phyllis Hanson) and Leilani (Ruth Cullen). A fun time was had by all the sisters! Wigs provide by Phyllis and a trip to goodwill found the dresses.

On Phyllis' big day, June 25th. Those of us younger than 40 made an effort to make her feel good about that milestone and decorated her cubicle with friendly reminders that the 30's were long gone. Then a group of us took her to lunch at Macaroni Grill. Where we proceeded to write all of the paper tablecloths that she was 40 today. A little chocolate cake and a single candle done by the restaurant staff made sure everyone knew she was the special guest for the day. Rumor has it Eric was a kind and supportive husband by taking the family to dinner and telling P she only looked like 34.

On Sunday June 30th, a large group of our friends met out a Mcmeniman's Edgefield resort and partied the evening away. The event was for Phyllis' birthday and my bonvoyage. (even though it's delayed) But the honor was all ours when so many of our friends came to wish us well. 10 of us spent the afternoon in Ruby's Spa, on the grounds getting massages, facials, and manicures. All around pampering. The drinking started there and continued for many hours. Rusty came all the way from Boise to see us and there was a large group of the great 1990's BRW staff in attendance. Friends from all of the Northwest and for many years we in attendance. Some, I sadly know, it will be a very long time before I see again and some, I gladly know, will be showing up on my door step in Melbourne very soon.

Florida and the Visa

Friends,

I just returned from 2 great trips. A friend, Kam Sisco, and I spent Memorial day weekend in San Fransisco. We had a GREAT time visiting the Castro, Haight Ashbury and Chinatown districts.

When I returned home I got some news about my visa to Australia. We all know that dealing with governments can be a real hassle. So I found out I need to complete a full physical and have that submitted to the Australian immigration officials before they'll authorize a 457 work visa. There are only 2 doctors in Oregon certified to do this testing and I have an appointment on Monday June 16th to get this done. It will them 2 to 3 weeks to get all the test results back and send it to the Australian immigration officials. 4 to 6 weeks after that I should have a visa. Where I can then buy my airline ticket to leave. So my departure date is looking more like early August then June 30th like I'd hoped. The good news I get to spend summer here in Oregon and leave as spring is coming to Melbourne.

From June 3rd until June 12th I was in Fort Lauderdale and Key West. I spent 10 days with the fabulous Tony. He showed me all around South Florida including South Beach in Miami (the place were "the Birdcage" was filmed). I got to play my saxophone on Fort Lauderdale beach at night. The waves crashing at my feet and the stars above. We spent 4 days in Key West at Big Ruby's all male resort. The Keys were a place neither of us had been and both had wanted to go. We wandered around the shops, caught a beautiful sunset, went to the southern most point in the US, and saw Earnest Hemingway's house. We also took a all day tourist excursion were we snorkeled, jet skied and tandem para sailed over the islands. Of course I had to play the saxophone here too and managed to find a very secluded spot on Smathers beach and play way out on a rock levy with the ocean crashing all around me.

Now I'm back in Oregon waiting to get the medical tests completed and jump through the hoops of the Australian government. Most of my things are packed and ready to go. Over all my life is good. I'm just in a limbo state waiting for my new life in Melbourne to begin.

As soon as I know more specific details about my departure date I'll let you all know.

Brian